With less than two weeks until the new motorway driving law comes into force, Steve Hill, Personal Injury Solicitor here at Hodgkinsons Solicitors Skegness, explains the new regulation and the repercussions it may have. The new law will apply to SMART motorways, which are sections of a busy motorway that uses traffic management methods to reduce congestion and increase capacity. This is achieved by using the hard shoulder and variable speed limits. Such methods are signaled on electronic gantries overhead which display information to drivers about the road ahead.
When driving down a SMART motorway, you may have noticed a red ‘X’ above you on the lane signals, but are you aware of the importance of this sign? A red ‘X’ signals that the lane is closed due to a breakdown, obstruction or that there is danger up ahead. By closing lanes when accidents occur, it allows emergency services to access the incident as quickly as possible. In instances such as this, drivers are expected to change lanes. However, this expectation is now the law. All drivers who ignore the red ‘X’ warnings to closed lanes, will face a fine of £100.00 and receive 3 penalty points. Motorists that continue to drive along the closed lane, use the lane to overtake or choose to use the closed lane as a hard shoulder, will instantly be caught by the various cameras operated along the road and issued a Fixed Penalty Notice. Fines may increase depending on the severity of the incident.
It has been found that 1 in 20 drivers continue to commit this offence. Between January 2017 – May 2019 over 180,000 UK drivers have ignored red X signs. As a result of this, all 180,000 drivers have received a warning letter from Highways England. However, the repercussions for this offence will soon become much more severe.
The new regulation has been introduced in an effort to improve safety on UK motorways. Drivers who choose to ignore red X signals, typically find themselves in a position where they must swerve back into an open lane, increasing the possibility of a collision. Choosing to break such rules can have a significant impact on those involved and the result of a road traffic accident is most often devastating.
If you have been involved in a collision which was caused by a driver ignoring red X signs, our expert Personal Injury Solicitors can help you to claim compensation. Our Solicitors who specialise in Road Traffic Accidents can assist with various types of claims from Uninsured Accident Claims to Untraced Accident Claims. Whether your accident occurred in Skegness, Boston, Lincoln, Newark, Peterborough or beyond, we can help you to get what you deserve. To get in touch call 01754 897150 or submit details of your case in a contact form and we will call you.